French utility EDF has notified three energy suppliers - Alpiq, Gazel Energie and Total Direct Energie - of the termination of their contracts under a mechanism that allows rival suppliers to buy electricity produced by EDF's nuclear power plants. The suppliers had sought to invoke the force majeure clause in their supply contracts with EDF.

Crude oil futures turned higher on Thursday, shrugging off an unexpected rise in U.S. crude stockpiles as traders focused on falling gasoline stocks and a further decline in crude stored at the New York Mercantile Exchange’s delivery hub in Cushing, Oklahoma. Moreover, expectations for further oil outputs cuts by Russia starting from July added to the upbeat sentiment.

Crude oil futures continued to climb in an optimistic climate on Thursday, to hit their highest settlement since March amid lower U.S. inventories and hopes for a recovery in demand for black gold. Hence, Brent crude for July delivery rose by 31 cents, or 0.9%, to settle at $36.06 per . At the same time, U.S. WTI crude gained 43 cents, or 1.3%, to end at $33.92 per barrel.

Crude oil futures diverged on Tuesday, with U.S. WTI crude edging 0.4% higher, to close at $31.96 a barrel in a rather optimistic climate amid the resumption of world demand at a time when supply is absorbing. Meanwhile, Brent crude for July delivery, which struggled to take direction in a volatile trading, shed by 16 cents, or 0.46%, to settle at $34.65 per barrel.